Full Description
This is the first book to take an in-depth look at women's football in Africa. Exploring the history, contemporary landscape, and future development of the women's game on the African continent, this book offers an important new perspective on the rise of women's sport more broadly.
This book traces the history of women's soccer in Africa from its introduction during the period of European colonization and its subsequent ban by colonial authorities, through to the present day period of rapidly increasing spectatorship, rising participation rates, and growing media interest. It reflects on the social obstacles to girls' participation, including sociocultural and religious barriers, as well as important social issues in football such as homophobia, discrimination, and abuse, and considers why certain countries have dominated African competitions, including Nigeria, Ghana, and, lately, South Africa, Equitorial Guinea, and Cameroon. This book also examines the crucial role played by youth academies, and FIFA's leadership role, and considers the challenges faced by African players, clubs, and countries on the global stage.
This is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in football, sport history, women's sport, Africa, development studies, or the relationships between sport and wider society.
Contents
1. African Women's Football and Early History: Dark Ages of Extreme Sexism and Denial, 2. FIFA's Recognition and Rise of Women's Football in Africa, 3. The Challenge of the Girl-Child and Social Obstacles in Playing Football, 4. Rationale for the Early Domination of Nigeria and Ghana in Women's Football, 5. The Emergence of South African, Equator-Guinean, and Cameroonian Women's National Football Teams, 6. New Wave of Football Equilibrium Among Women's Teams, 7. Academy and Club Football: Focal Point and Plateauing of Competition Among Women, 8. African Women at Football's Global Stage and Challenges, 9. Persistent Issues Facing Women's Football: Social Inhibitions, Homophobia, and Discrimination, 10. The Future of Women's Football in Africa
